Page 38 of Mayfair Madame
“No, no. That’s not what I meant.”
“Really? Because that’s how it sounds.”
“Okay, maybe that is what I mean. You take on other people’s problems and try to make things better, then you move on to the next thing.” I bristled at her tone.
“It’s called being a fucking friend, Melinda. Remember when I did it with you? I helped you when you needed a friend. I sat for hours talking to you, often into the early morning, helping you get through your darkest times.”
“That’s uncalled for, Naomi.”
“Is it? I was there for you when you needed me. Not as your employer but as your friend. So don’t come telling me who I can do that for. Ellie is not a project. She’s someone I want to get to know better. Is that so wrong?”
I was about done with this conversation. A day on the sofa with no interruptions sounded better by the minute.
“This is all coming out wrong. I care for you and don’t want you to be falling for her for all the wrong reasons.”
I cared for her too, but she’d overstepped.
“I care for you too, Melinda, but I think that’s up to me. I appreciate you have concerns, but I’m a grown-ass woman, and I can do what the hell I want to, mistake or not.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything, but this came from a place of love for my friend. Nothing more.”
“I’m sorry too, but you have to trust that I know what I’m doing. I’m not a naïve little girl, Melinda. I’ve lived a more difficult life than most, which is why I choose to help those I care about. Not out of duty or boredom. I care for each of you regardless of whether I’ve helped you.”
This wasn’t how I wanted to spend my Sunday — arguing with one of my best friends — but I was done talking about it.
“Look, I’m tired, irritable, and hungry. I’ll see you tomorrow, and we’ll go over any matters arising for the week.”
Neither of us was in the right frame of mind to continue this conversation. Best to call an end to it now before one of us said something we’d regret, and that was usually me.
“Enjoy the rest of your day, Naomi. I’ll talk to you tomorrow,” she said softly. I knew she was upset, but hell, I was too.
Fuck it. I hadn’t planned for the conversation to go that way, but what was I supposed to say when she compared Ellie to a fucking project?
She was far more than that. Yes, she had her issues, but didn’t we all?
I settled down with a chamomile tea and stared out the window. It promised to be another hot, sunny day. I should be out there, not inside. Hyde Park wasn’t very far away. I could grab breakfast at a little place I knew and spend the day outside.
Better still, I could visit Rupert.
I finished my tea, showered, and dressed in a long sundress with a pair of flat sandals. I stuffed my phone into my pocket, put my sunglasses on my head, and called the lift.
Within a few minutes, I stood on the pavement; the sun warming my skin.
“Where are you off to?” Oscar approached, wearing the same clothes as last night.
“A day in the sun. Looks like someone didn’t make it home last night.”
He shrugged. “Sometimes an opportunity arises, and you have to take it. You know how it is?”
“Anyone I know? Please say it wasn’t Marco.”
“God no, honey, we’re just friends, and anyway, he has his eye on someone else.”
He nodded towards Sam’s bar.
Just as I thought. “I will kill him if he messes with Sam.”
“I’m saying nothing.” He zipped his mouth closed, then smirked. “It’s not as bad as you think. Don’t be such a worrywart.”
